Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden | One of the world's premier collections of heirloom peonies.

Peony Garden

The Garden
is Open

Bloom time May through mid-June

Visit from sunrise to sunset every day. Free admission.

What's in
Bloom

Passion for peonies book cover

Passion for Peonies collects short essays that celebrate the story of the Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden as well as the rich social history of peony gardening that it is an integral part of. Collected and edited by David Michener, curator of Matthaei-Nichols, and Bob Grese, retired director of Matthaei-Nichols. Click here for more info and to purchase the book.

The University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden is one of the world’s premiere collections. The garden holds nearly 800 peonies and over 10,000 flowers at peak bloom.

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@matthaeinichols / Tag Your Photos #umpeonygarden

#TBT to the June 2018 Shakespeare in the Arb produ

#TBT to the June 2018 Shakespeare in the Arb production of “Romeo and Juliet.”
On the right, Lady Capulet, played by Bridget Smith, and the nurse, played by Aria Davis, discover Juliet’s apparently lifeless body (Juliet played by Maria LoCicero). Shakespeare in the Arb was canceled this year but we’re bringing you some scenes from past productions. And looking forward to presenting “SITA” in 2022!
#shakespeareinthearb #matthaeinichols

Native Plant of the Week: Cow Parsnip

This week’s native plant is cow parsnip, Heracleum maximum. Dramatically tall to 8’ and topped with a bright beacon of florets, it’s definitely an attention-getter--whether of alarm or admiration.

Part of the carrot family (Apiaceae), common names include Indian celery, Indian rhubarb, American cow parsnip. It contains chemicals called furanocoumarins which can irritate skin, causing rashes and burn-like lesions after affected skin has been exposed to ultraviolet light (like sunlight).

Many ethnobotanical uses by Native American peoples are documented. Stalks could be peeled and eaten raw, or cooked, made into flutes, used as straws, and employed for ceremonial purposes. Leaves were crushed for a drink to aid sore throats or colds. Roots were utilized in compounds for a variety of topical remedies.

Native to a large swath of North America from Georgia to southern half of California northward, cow parsnip is found in forest edges, floodplains, along wet meadows, and river banks.

Flowers appear in flat-topped clusters along hairy, hollow stems, emerging from purple-veined, enlarged sheaths at the base of the leaf stalks. Large maple leaf-shaped compound leaves with fine hairs and sharply toothed edges grow to 2.5’ across. Leaves are ternately (meaning 3 parts) divided.

Broad clusters or umbels of flowers reach 8” wide. Each has 20-30 smaller clusters with up to 30 ¼” notched white flowers. Flat fruits are oval to heart-shaped, ¼-½” long. At maturity the seed turns brown and splits open into two.

An excellent source of pollen and nectar for many insects, including bees, wasps, gnats, flies, and beetles, it’s a larval host for the anise swallowtail, and eaten by deer, livestock, and moose.

Wear sturdy gloves and pants when working with or hiking in areas with a lot of cow parsnip. If bare skin is touched by the plant, it’s advised to wash the area with soap and water and avoid exposing it to the sun for 48 hours.

Sources: edis.ifas.ufl.edu, naeb.brit.org, minnesotawildflowers.org, wildflower.org, illinoiswildflowers.info, michiganflora.net, dec.ny.gov

#nativeplantoftheweek #matthaeinichols #umich #umichnature

Peony garden news: You all might have guessed by n

Peony garden news: You all might have guessed by now but the 2021 peony garden bloom time is pretty much over. A few late bloomers, so to speak, are hanging on, like Marie Crousse and Petite Renee (pictured), but basically the garden has finished blooming. Thanks to everyone who enjoyed the garden and/or shared photos or stories of peonies with us! Now we start thinking about celebrating the 100th anniversary of the garden in 2022.

We'd like to take a moment and celebrate our Insta

We'd like to take a moment and celebrate our Instagram community!

It has been a pleasure to connect with you all, to learn and grow together, and most importantly, to appreciate the wonder and beauty of the natural world.

🌸 Here's to our fellow nature lovers, 5,000 strong! 🌸

#umichnature #matthaeinichols

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